No one hopes Hurricane Sandy lives up to its potential. The storm that has already claimed nearly two dozen lives in the Caribbean churned Friday near northern Bahamas, and meteorologists warn that it packs the potential to slam the Northeastern United States as soon as Monday with powerful winds, pelting rain and cold temperatures.

Worst case, Sandy could merge with a strong cold front from the west. The double threat could morph into a “superstorm” that could sit over New England for days, making untold trouble for millions of residents. Weather experts said it’s a recipe not unlike 1991’s “Perfect Storm.”